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On the fence about whether you want or need a doula at your birth? Click here!
A birth doula (also known as a labor doula) is a woman who supports a mother and her partner (if she has one) during labor. She may act as a primary labor coach or an assistant coach.
If you are already a student taking my childbirth classes or an antepartum doula client, you are eligible for priority on my calendar and package discounts! Please contact me for details.
My doula service includes:
- One or more prenatal visits to go over birth plans, on-the-ground decision making, roles on the birth team, etc.
- Informative and educational handouts, including an introductory letter for your care provider, as needed
- Assistance in planning a blessingway for mom (upon request)
- 24 x 7 phone support and on-call period from 38 weeks (or birth, whichever comes first) through 42 weeks (or two weeks after birth, whichever comes later)
- Continuous labor support from the onset of active labor (or when I am called) through two hours post partum (or when I am relieved), including use of the Woman's Way Comfort Cushion, if desired
- Electronic birth announcement sent to a list you provide (upon request)
- One or more postpartum visits to process the birth, answer questions, discuss any needed resources, etc.
- A written birth story for your baby book and/or to assist with your own written birth story (upon request)
- Other services as negotiated
To the doula clients whose labors I support, I make three promises:
1) I will not lie to you in labor. A major portion of my service, especially for first-time parents, is informational support, so clients must be able to trust what I tell them. I give balanced information to answer any question, and do not hide the facts if something is happening that may require intervention or a change in choices by the parents. I will also not talk over your head as many hospital medical staff members do, hoping you will just nod and go along with their choices for your birth; if you need something explained, I will explain it to you.
2) You cannot hurt my feelings in labor. For me as a doula, the labor and birth places are insult-free zones. Sometimes, when things get tough and it's all a parent can do to cope with the intense physical and emotional sensations of labor, they may say or do things that could otherwise be considered rude, such as snap at people, raise their voice, or ignore people. These are natural in labor, and I have respect for the natural process. Please don't waste the effort needed to birth your baby trying not to hurt my feelings.
3) I will do everything in my power to make sure that you do not suffer. As noted above, there are many intense sensations associated with labor, both physical and emotional. In the physical realm, you may feel pressure, intensity, and even pain - this is normal. However, I will use my knowledge and skills to ensure that you do not have to endure unnecessary pain - that is, pain that can be soothed or avoided. In the emotional domain, the worst thing that can happen is that mom feels alone as the only person in the room who can understand these tumultuous contractions that she feels and no-one else can feel or see... I help to ensure that she does not feel alone, and I make sure that she has at least one continuous caring person with her throughout labor, birth, and those first couple postpartum hours. Sometimes, particularly if mom has no partner, I am the only person who is with her the entire time to understand what she is and has been going through.
My best wishes to you for comfort and good support for your birth!
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Did You Know? |
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The word doula comes from the Greek, doulos, meaning "servant" or "slave." A doula was the most important female slave in the ancient Greek household, who most likely assisted the lady of the house in childbirth.
While many people prefer the more politically correct definition "woman helper," a doula must do more than just help mothers giving birth. A doula must be servant-minded to truly meet the needs of the mother (and, if applicable, her partner).
This is why I don't say that I "help" women, but rather that I "serve" or "support" them, and it is truly an honor. |
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